Welcome back folks! I'm excited for and nervous about this chapter because it's going to be taking a bit of a turn. This and the next few chapters a lot will be happening from multiple character's point of view over a short period of time. I hope I've written it clearly enough and I Hope you'll like what I have planned.

Content warning: Confession, medical issues, kidnapping and talk of self sacrifice.

Chapter 16

Rejecting the Wish

Marinette was jolted from her seat at her sewing machine when she felt the world shake.

"Oh, what now?" She had been in such a good mood seeing Luka awake and doing well. "Couldn't the universe wait until tomorrow to break?" But as she went to her window she was greeted with a shocking sight. "Holy crap the universe actually broke!" At least that's what it looked like to her. She was staring at the sky now illuminated with a large crack. It almost looked like a lightning bolt had been paused in the clouds.

"Guardian!" She turned to see the Horse Kwami Kaalki holding her little head looking like she was in pain. Marinette raced to her side.

"Kaalki what's wrong?" The Kwami rested in her open hands as the other Kwami's hovered around concerned.

"Too many…too many openings…too many things came through at once." Marinette looked back out at the cracked sky.

"Is that why the sky looks…well broken?" The little horse nodded.

"I'm not sure how many things came through but it's starting to weaken the dimensional barrier." Marinette bit her lip nervously as she got the Kwami some extra food.

"You rest up. When you're feeling better see if you can tell me how many things came through. Maybe they'll be a little more cooperative than Tanuki and we can try and send them back where they came from." Kaalki nodded, nibbling at the pastries the guardian gave her. The other Kwamis gathered around offering support.

Marinette went back to her window and frowned. Kaalki wasn't well enough to give her a precise location of these new visitors. She was going to have to do this the hard way. She contacted Alya and a few of the other holders so they could cover more ground.

She really wished her partner was here right now.

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Varian had made up his mind. After an emotional visit with Luka he decided he was going to give the ring back to Adrien AKA Chat Noir. This decision was not going to go over very well with Gabriel but he'd rather have the man mad at him than dead. He got the ring back from Nathalie not telling her what he was planning just that he needed it for an experiment. He wasn't lying, he did have one more thing he wanted to do before he gave it back to its rightful owner. Nathalie was skeptical since the last time he had done an experiment with the ring he nearly got himself killed. Ruddiger was quick to vouch for him and promised not to let him become overwhelmed again. Again not a lie.

Ring in hand he made his way to the main entrance to the Louvre Museum. His plan was simple: get in and see if Alix's brother was in there and get out. Perhaps he could even investigate the source of the black rocks but one thing at a time.

It was the early evening so he used the darkness to transform into Maine Koon keeping out of sight as best he could. He frowned seeing the size of the rock that was blocking the door. He had to be careful.

"CATA-AH!" a sudden pain shot through his head, a very familiar one at this point. "N-not now!" He backed away and as he did a curious thing happened. The pain started to go back down. He was across the street and the pain was now a dull thud.

"What the hell was that?" Experimentally he tried getting closer but every time he did the pain would return. After the third time Ruddiger forced him to change back and started pulling him away.

"That's enough Varian you need to go!" Varian protested.

"Not yet, I just have to make an opening so-" but his head started throbbing again.

"You can't help anyone if you pass out again. There's something in there that's hurting you!" Varian was regrettably forced to admit defeat. Ruddiger was right; this was the same feeling he had when he visited the Museum the first time. He was pondering why it didn't happen when he was in the tunnels below the museum earlier but he figured he was too far away while he was underground.

Suddenly there was a loud bang and the ground shook. The people on the street as well as Varian were in a panic thinking the rocks were on the move again. It wasn't thankfully but the moment Varian looked up his blood ran cold. There was a long crack in the sky and he knew in his gut this wasn't an Akuma attack.

He took one last longing look at the museum before racing home. "I'm sorry Alix." he thought as his pain lessened more and more the further he was away. "I'll find another way to help Jalil but right now Ladybug needs her partner back."

He had a feeling this was only the beginning. He also didn't realize someone was watching the whole thing.

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Zhan Tiri watched with glee as the Moon Child had finally arrived. Her last pawn should be here any minute so it was perfect timing.

"It's all falling into place so nicely." As soon as she finished that sentence she saw the Moon Child grab his head in pain and start to back away. "Oh, blast it! I thought when he connected to the rocks the first time that meant his power had awoken. It would seem that wasn't the case." It was fine though. They still had some time and with the Sundrop already here with the scroll it was just a matter of-" Suddenly there was a loud band and a force so powerful it shook the world enough that even she could feel it.

"What the devil?!" She looked up at the sky and her jaw dropped seeing the large crack knowing what it meant. "What did those idiots do?"

Suddenly her perfectly well crafted plan was now coming undone at the seams.

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Adrien stared out his window in disbelief. The crack in the sky was already being reported all over the news and social media. Theories were flying all over the place but no one really knew what it was. He was debating about dawning his disguise again and trying to talk to Ladybug. He just felt so helpless just sitting here when he knew she needed help. Sure she had the other holders but he was her partner.

She needed him and if he was being honest he needed her too. He was no longer in love with her Marinette still held his heart but he still cared for Ladybug. If only that stupid Tanuki hadn't- He was so lost in thought he almost didn't hear someone knocking quietly at his door.

"Adrien? It's me Varian, ca-can I come in?" Adrien was surprised to hear how timid he sounded. He figured with all those people from his hometown showing up out of the blue combined with Luka waking up he might be a little vulnerable right now.

"Sure come on in." Varian slowly opened the door shaking a little bit as he closed it making sure it was locked. Adrien raised an eyebrow at this but whatever was bothering him it must be important. After pacing slightly and fidgeting with the tassels on his hoodie he finally looked at his brother with sad eyes.

"I-I have something important to tell you." His tone was making Adrien nervous.

"Is everything alright?" Then he remembered he'd just come back from seeing Luke. "Is it Luka? Is he-"

"Oh no no, he's fine. No this…is about me." He had practiced this speech a thousand times in his head and yet the words just kept getting caught in his throat. Because once he said them out loud their relationship would never be the same again. Would they still be brothers or would Adrien never want to speak to him again? Varian wouldn't blame him if he did and that would be all his fault. With the anxiety threatening to tear him apart he decided to just rip the band aid off.

Wordlessly he handed Adrien a small box and turned away not wanting to see his reaction.

Adrien picked up the box confused. "Should I open it?" Varian nodded without looking back.

And so he did. At first he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him when he saw the ring. Because…it couldn't be. Shaking, he took off his fake ring and put Varian's ring on. His eyes widened as Plagg appeared silently looking back and forth between the two boys.

"P-Plagg?" The tiny cat looked at Adrien and smiled but looked back at Varian with a sad expression.

"Wow, he really gave the ring back?"

"Back? But then-but no. No you-you can't be!" Varian slowly turned to face him with the expression not unlike that of a condemned man.

"I'm sorry I stole your ring." Adrien felt something in his chest shatter.

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One of the beings Kaalki mentioned to Ladybug earlier had just found themself ripped from their world and tossed unceremoniously here. They were not having a good time. They weren't really sure what happened at first but when they saw the spotted lady searching for something he quickly ducked out of sight. Once the cost was clear they started roaming around trying to get some sense of where they were.

A news blurb had caught their attention. It was mostly about the recent crack in the sky, something they suspected had something to do with them winding up here. On the bottom were also updates on local stories. One of them was about a group of people in old fashion clothes threatening a group of teenagers with a sword. Intrigued, they kept reading and found out that they were currently in custody.

Perhaps they should take a quick look to confirm their suspicions.

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Another being found themselves in a similar predicament. Confused by being in the wrong place and by the presence of black rocks, they started to look around as well. It didn't take them long to spot the crack in the sky and judging by everyone else's reaction this was new.

"Well this is going to be a joy to deal with."

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The two last beings landed thankfully together as they also took a look at their surroundings. It looked the same but something felt…off. Like the world had more light and life in the air. And no they didn't mean the giant crack in the sky. But something was different.

"What do you make of this?" The taller one asked.

"I'm not sure. I know we were trying that long shot but…"

"Do you think it actually worked?"

"Let's not get our hopes up. All the same…" Regardless of what they said there was still an air of hope in their voice. The taller one agreed.

"Let's head back. We'll be able to get a better grip on the situation there." The smaller one nodded, eyeing an old poster of Adrien Agreste. They ran their hand down his face longingly before following their partner.

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Adrien stared at Varian. The boy had just confessed to stealing his ring. A ring that was stolen by Tanuki. Logically he knew what that meant but his heart just couldn't accept it.

Varian, the one who had become his brother, was the villain Tanuki. Who had been Tanuki since the day he met him. He had met both on the same day after all.

"Please tell me this isn't true." Varian's frown deepened. "How could you come into my home and lie to me about everything?" Once again the words were getting caught in Varian's throat but he had to say something.

"I'm sorry." Adrien stood up so quickly he knocked over his chair.

"That's all you have to say!"

"Adrien, listen I know I screwed up. I should never have taken your ring."

"How long?"

"What?"

"How long have you known that I was Chat Noir?" He hesitated.

"I…I never had any real proof but I've suspected it for a while now." Adrien's eyes widened as he remembered when he was kidnapped and Varian was Akumatized. He told Ladybug he had been held up by Tanuki when he was "late" to help save Adrien Agreste…and he said that right in front of Varian.

"Adrien, I know you probably hate me right now and I don't blame you, but it's over for me. Tanuki won't be seeking the Miraculous any more."

"You expect me to believe that?" he shouted with tears in his eyes. Varian had some as well.

"Not with words alone." he pointed to the ring. "I'll find another way to save my Dad." Adrien was floored. So many things he thought he knew about the other boy were falling apart while some of the gaps in his story were now coming together.

"You…you wanted the wish to save your Dad." He nodded. "What really happened to him? You've never given me a straight answer to that question." Varian felt his heart breaking at the thought of Adrien knowing but his brother deserved to know.

"It started when the rocks invaded my home." Adrien was only now piecing together that Varian was from another world, the same one as the black rocks.

"Wait, you knew about the rock and didn't do anything to stop them!"

"I didn't think they could…jump dimensions and I didn't know how to stop them anyway."

"A likely story." Varian got a little mad at that remark.

"If I could stop those damn things I wouldn't have needed the wish! And I did try back in my home world and you know what happened!? My experiment backfired and Dad…Dad pushed me out of the way. Now he's trapped, encased within Amber with no way to free him. That's why I wanted the wish but…Kwami magic doesn't work in my world. Ruddiger was a regular raccoon until a portal from Ladybug opened in my jail cell and I landed in Paris. After I met Shadow Moth he offered to share the wish if I helped. So I did."

Adrien was quiet as he listened to Varian finally filling in all the gaps. Even so it still felt like he was leaving something out. Something his brain really didn't want to register. A truth he didn't want to be true. Varian continued keeping that part out allowing Adrien to live in denial just a little bit longer.

"I had been thinking about quitting for a while now. And after the Lucky Charm failed to do anything against the rocks I was starting to lose hope. Then I found that rock shard."

"From when I used my Cataclysm." He rubbed his arm still feeling the dull ache even after all this time.

"Yeah, I…I'm not proud of what happened next. It was the first thing I found that could actually break the rocks and…I kind of lost it. Even though in the back of my mind I knew you were Chat Noir it was like my brain refused to admit it so I…so I could steal your ring." Adrien couldn't completely blame him for that, he was kind of doing the same thing right now.

"It was tunnel vision. I was convinced I could use the ring to break the rocks, break the amber and make up for hurting my Dad in the first place." He was quiet for a moment when Amber the cat came out from under Adrien's bed and settled on Varian's lap. "And it worked."

"Worked?" Adrien wondered how since he only caused a shower of shrapnel when he tried.

"I had to combine it with my Miraculous but after nearly driving myself crazy I managed to free her." He pointed to the cat as it nudged his hand demanding to be petted. "She had gotten caught in the amber when Ladybug, Pigella and I used it to stop the red rocks. Not only did I manage to get her out safely, she was alive after all that time so I still have hope my Dad is too."

"But didn't you say the kwami's power can't be used in your world?"

"I pretty much convinced myself that if I could get the cat out of the amber I could find a way to free my Dad as well but...I can keep hurting people trying to fix my mistakes." Adrien's head was spinning, half convinced he was in a dream and going to wake up at any moment.

"So hang on, this is a lot to take in." Varian nodded as he stroked the cat now purring in his lap. "First of all, does Shadow Moth know my identity?"

"No." he said looking directly in his eye. "I never told him. He doesn't even know I was planning to give you back the ring." He laughed slightly hysterically. "He's not going to be happy about that." As mad as he was, Adrien was a bit worried.

"Are-are you in danger?" Varian shrugged.

"I…I might have to leave for a while but I had to give it back to you. With Rapunzel, and Eugene and who knows what else entering this world, Ladybug is going to need her partner back."

"What about Tanuki?" Varian sighed.

"He's not exactly trustworthy in her eyes right now. She'd probably think I was tricking you to get to her and I can't exactly blame her." Adrien collapsed onto his bed. This…this was too much.

"I…I think I need to be alone right now." Varian looked sad like he still wanted to say something but he held back. The next move was for Adrien's to make.

"I understand." with that he left the room to go back to his own. He had some packing to do.

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Gabriel was in his study thinking over so many things. He hadn't been able to stop thinking since he had that talk with Varian. He was doing this for Adrien, it was a message he drilled into his own head to keep himself going during the darkest times. He'd be better off with Emilie he had no doubt about that but Varian had put doubts in his head that he hadn't been able to shake. This should be an easy decision, he'd sacrifice himself for his wife and child but the thought of Adrien losing a parent all over again…

He knocked a few things off his desk in frustration. He was doing the right thing, the right thing for his family.

'What if I don't want to lose you?' He rubbed the bridge of his nose where his glasses rested. He didn't plan for this to happen but over time Varian had become a part of their little family. He cared for the boy more than just a partner and he knew Adrien saw him as a brother but that left him with a pretty big problem. Achieving either of their wishes would essentially break this family up one way or another. Gabriel didn't want to see Varian trade his life for his father; it was why he was so willing to accommodate him when he found a way to break him out of the amber.

He got up and started pacing. Was the wish really the best thing for his family? He missed Emilie so much it hurt but he was noticing Adrien seemed to be moving on. Was it right to give his mother back just to take away his father. He had to admit these were questions he hadn't thought about when he decided to seek out the Miraculous although maybe he should have. It was times like these when he wished Emilie was here, she'd know what to do.

Suddenly he heard something, was someone else in the room?

"Nathalie? Are you still up?" No answer, he instinctively went for his broach but stopped himself not wanting to reveal his identity. He hit the security button under his desk alerting Gorilla and temporarily locking the boys in their rooms. Maybe he was being paranoid but something just didn't feel right.

"You should know security's been called. They'll be here any-"

"Oh we've already taken care of Gorilla." said a cold feminine voice that was hauntingly familiar. "Not dead mind you, just knocked out. We're not monsters like you." Turning to the source of the voice he saw a woman's silhouette draped in flowing fabric wearing a mask shaped like a…butterfly? It…it couldn't be.

"Is that you-" but he was cut off with a sharp blow to the back of his head. He was unconscious before he hit the ground.

"Well done," she said to the larger man as he proceeded to tie him up. "We should get what we came for before he wakes up." The man nodded still not liking the idea of Gabriel Agreste still breathing but his partner had a complicated history with him. But even if a part of her wished him dead she could never bring herself to do it.

She did love him once upon a time.

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Adrien's head was still spinning when Varian left. He looked at his Miraculous still not quite believing he had it back. Plagg was here though so it wasn't a fake. If this was a trick it was a master plan. He looked back up at the Kwami who was looking at him concerned.

"Are you alright Plagg. Sorry I didn't ask sooner. I just…"

"Yeah I get it. I'm fine though. Kid gave me so much cheese I'm almost sick of it." Adrien raised an eyebrow.

"So you don't want this aged camembert I was saving for you?" He held up a container holding the Kwami's favorite.

"I said 'almost' didn't I?" he said playfully as he accepted his snack and was happy to be back with his holder. Varian wasn't as bad as some of his other holders but the kid sure had a lot of issues. He wished Ruddiger good luck with that one.

Suddenly the security system kicked in, locking Adrien in his room. Adrien eyed this Kwami nervously.

"You'd better get back in the ring just in case." He just got him back; he didn't want to risk him being seen and losing him all over again. Plagg didn't look convinced.

"What if Chat Noir is needed?"

"I call if I need you, promise." Plagg was unsure but did as he was told. Unfortunately for Adrien that moment came sooner then he was prepared for. Before he could react a large man dressed as a knight sliced through his bedroom door like it was made of paper, the blade glittering in the moonlight.

So focused on the knight he missed his companion slipping in and getting behind him. As soon as he turned to evade the knight she blew some kind of dust in his face and he instantly felt himself becoming sleepy.

She grabbed him before he could fall and cradled him to her chest.

"It's alright darling, we'll keep you safe." It was the last thing he heard as he drifted off wondering why her voice sounded so familiar.

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Varian was all packed and ready to be kicked out of the house or run from it if need be. He could admit he loved Gabriel and thought of him as a second father but he had no idea how he would react to his betrayal. As for Adrien, it was best to give him some space as well as a little time.

He wiped a tear from his eye. He didn't want to leave but there was little chance they'd let him stay after this.

Ruddiger was resting in the goggles but ready when his boy needed him. He was just about ready to take his leave when the security doors shut in front of him. He panicked for a moment thinking Gabriel had found out somehow and had come after him. But that was unlikely unless he was spying on Adrien and if he hadn't learned his son was a superhero by now that was even more unlikely.

His thoughts were interrupted when a blade sliced through his door. Within moments a gray knight with black and white stripes stepped through the destroyed door and started coming towards him.

He spun around and ran toward his window but was met by someone with wings who, to his horror, was holding Adrien. She blew something in his face and he was out just as a large knight took him gently in his arms.

Why did this feel so familiar?

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Back in Corona a very flustered Nigel was practically shaking Mathews trying to get him to fix this huge mess he created. It wasn't helping. The house was falling apart: walls were full of holes, melting or just straight up missing. It could barely be called a house any more with most of its roof gone. Finally Mathews threw Nigel off him in udder frustration.

"Enough!" he shouted, dusting himself off. "What's done is done shouting at me isn't going to fix this."

"No but you'll have to fix this!" He was still shouting, pointing at his fellow disciple threateningly. "The King is vital to the master's plan." Mathews just sighed.

"You could have told me you needed more than one person sent to the other world. It takes a massive amount to send one never mind 8." Nigel blinked.

"8? We just needed the Sundrop and the King, what the hell have you been doing?" Mathews rubbed his head feeling a headache coming on.

"A slight hiccup but I got everything in place."

"Except the king."

"Look, why don't you help me gather what I need to help repair my magic so we can put everything back where it was instead of constantly nagging me!" He gestured to the sky. "You see that crack? If we don't do something to repair this it will spread and there won't be any worlds for the master to claim! Now help me or leave me in peace!" Nigel looked at the sky himself, he begrudgingly complied.

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Varian woke up in an unfamiliar room to the sound of someone in distress. He pushed himself up to see Adrien shaking in the corner looking like he was about to have a panic attack. He slowly walked over to the other boy, being careful not to touch him.

"Adrien? Hey, can you hear me?" Maybe it was the familiar voice but he did seem to be calming down. "It's me, Varian." He wasn't sure if that would help or hurt giving his recent confession but again the familiarity was helping to bring him back to reality.

Adrien was in fact starting to come down. He was kidnapped again this time from his own room so even though he now knew Varian was Tanuki he still felt like the safest thing to cling to. He grabbed the other boy's hand and Varian slowly brought him into a loose hug.

After a few minutes Adrien was lucid enough to pull away a little embarrassed. Varian didn't comment much to his relief.

"Where are we?" Adrien asked, looking around the large but simple room hoping to find an exit.

"Not sure. Last thing I remembered was being attacked by some knight and a lady dressed as a butterfly." His hands went to his head relieved to find his goggles still there. Adrien was nervously fidgeting with his ring so it wasn't the Miraculous they were after.

"Same for me. What do you think they want?"

"To keep you safe of course." They both jumped hearing a woman's voice as the butterfly lady stepped out of the shadows with the knight beside her. They looked like Miraculous holders. Varian bristled.

"Safe? How by locking us up?"

"No," said the knight, his voice sounding eerily familiar to Varian. "By taking you away from him." He exchanged looks with the woman who nodded. Before either boy knew what was happening the pair transformed back.

"Dark Wings Fall."

"Separate."

Both boys nearly passed out again. Standing before them were two people who should not be there. Ones that they never thought they'd see again.

"Mom!" Adrien asked, afraid this was another dream.

"Dad!" Varian said in shock, eyeing the man he longed to save.

"At last." Emilie said looking lovingly at her son as Quirin smiled at Varian.

"We finally undid the wish."

To be continued…

Next time: We learn the tragic tale of another world where the wish was made and ones left behind forced to pick up the pieces. Meanwhile the Tangled crew meets the two other beings that came through. They are both familiar but different at the same time.